lawful right to interfere with slavery in the states where it existed, and having no such right he had no inclination to do so. He recalled the resolution of the platform on which he had been a candidate denouncing lawless invasion of state or territory and declared for the maintenance of the rights of the states. He quoted the provisions of the constitution as to the delivery of persons held to service or labor in one state and escaping to another, and applied the maxim of the law: "The intention of the law-giver is the law." He did not give his approval to those who refused obedience to laws enacted in pursuance of the Constitution whether animated by hatred of what he regarded as a great wrong and injustice or not.

He argued the indissoluble nature of the compact between the states both in contemplation of universal law and the law of contract. It was the unanswerable argument of a lawyer. He believed in the justice of the people and asked, "Why should there not be confidence in the ultimate justice of the people? Is there any other or equal hope in the world?"

With the warmest and kindliest human sympathy he combined an unyielding adherence to right and justice; and in his habit of thought, remained a lawyer to the end. After four years when he realized that the decision of the issue might rest with the Judge of all the Earth and that the judgment might be that all the wealth piled by the bondsman's 250 years of unrequited toil should be sunk, and every drop of blood drawn with the lash should be paid with another drawn with the sword, yet he could humbly say: "The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

You have determined to commemorate the life and character of Mr. Lincoln as a lawyer and have designed this tablet to be placed at the site of his first law office. It will be a perpetual memorial and belongs to a class which the law regards as public benefactions on account of their tendencies and the lessons which they teach. Like the building of churches which inclines the hearts of the people to morality and religion, the founding of seats of learning for education, and the establishment of public hospitals, so the statue, the monument and the memorial to commemorate a great and worthy life and example serve the highest public good by the inspiration which they give to emulate the life and imitate the example.

This tablet will be a constant reminder of the great lawyer and President and of the qualities which endeared him to the people and have made his name immortal. It will deliver its voiceless but potent message to the mind and heart, not alone on this day set apart for celebrating the goodness and greatness of Mr. Lincoln, but from hour to hour and day to day in the coming years. The message and the lesson will not be alone for the student of history, the philosopher, the statesman or for those who gather today to listen to their wisdom, but also to every passer-by. It will inspire the boy as his mind and character unfold and develop from day to day, and inspire him with higher ideals of life and of the responsibilities of a citizen. It will teach its lesson to the laboring man who toils for the support of himself and family and to all common people into whose rank Mr. Lincoln was born and from whom he never permitted himself to be separated by place or power. It will stimulate patriotism in all and teach the lesson that those things which truly exalt an individual are the old fashioned and homely virtues of honesty, truth and integrity. By its silent influence it will lead to emulation of the character, the simple virtues, the

kind heart, obedience to the spirit of the law of the great lawyer and the great President whom it commemorates.

COLONEL MILLS

Introducing Judge Creighton

This occasion is graced with the presence of and participation of a gentleman who succeeded to the law business of Mr. Lincoln whose associates and successors were as follows: Stuart and Lincoln; Logan and Lincoln; Herndon and Lincoln; Herndon and Zane; Herndon and Orendorff; Orendorff and Creighton.

I have now the honor of presenting our most worthy townsman, who has graced the bench of our county and circuit courts longer than any of his predecessors, Judge James A. Creighton.